News

BMCC Wins NASPA Virtual Innovation Award  BMCC is one of ten colleges and universities nationwide to win the Virtual Innovation Award: Excellence in Delivering Virtual Student Services from NASPA, Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education — and one of three awardees receiving $50,000 each for their holistic approach to virtual services.

CPA and Professor Joel Barker Highlights Changes for 2020 Tax Season For one thing, Professor Barker says, “The Economic Impact Payment, or EIP, commonly referred to as the ‘stimulus check,’ is not taxable.” That and other changes were set in motion by the CARES Act.

Professor Shenique Davis Wins Eastern Sociological Society Award  BMCC Criminal Justice Professor Shenique S. Davis in the Social Sciences, Human Services and Criminal Justice Department has won the Eastern Sociological Society (ESS) 2021 Barbara R. Walters Community College Faculty Award. "The strength of the nominations attests to the strength, richness and vitality of our ESS community,” said Jennifer Lee, ESS President, and Jennifer McAdam, ESS Executive Officer, in their email announcement of the awards. Professor Davis is among eight annual ESS awardees from institutions including Columbia University, Harvard University and Wesleyan University. The Barbara R. Walters Community College Faculty Award recognizes community college faculty who are actively engaged in scholarly work.

Dean Shults to Participate in Panel Discussion Christopher Shults, Dean of Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Planning, will participate in a panel discussion hosted by Here to Here. The session is scheduled on Wednesday, February 3. He will be presenting alongside Julia Freeland Fisher from the Christensen Institute (Disruptive Innovations) on the topic, “A Closer Look at the Community College Business Model.” To register CLICK HERE.

BMCC Receives Grant from U.S. Dept. of Labor for Pathway Program to Paramedic Degree and Careers
The CUNY Community Colleges Consortium—including the BMCC Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development—has received a nearly $5 million, four-year grant from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) that will fund accelerated training for jobs in technology, healthcare and education. BMCC will use the funds to expand an earlier pilot program in the Allied Health Department which trained high school students to become Emergency Medical Service workers while earning college credits toward an associate degree.

BMCC 2020-2025 Strategic Plan Cultivates Innovation and Student Success The BMCC 2020-2025 strategic plan is now online and available for review by the BMCC community. “This plan is the cornerstone of all of our assessment and planning activities and the site will ensure it is a living document—one that provides updates, dashboards, and opportunities for faculty, staff and students to share their stories,” said President Anthony Munroe.

Professor Sharon Avni Wins National Jewish Book Award Academic Literacy and Linguistics Professor Sharon Avni is a winner of the Jewish Book Council's prestigious 2020 National Jewish Book Award in the category Education and Jewish Identity, for Hebrew Infusion: Language and Community at American Jewish Summer Camps (Rutgers University Press, 2020), which she co-wrote with Sarah Bunin Benor and Jonathan Krasner. Based on sev­en years of research and per­son­al obser­va­tion, the book explores ways in which sum­mer camps have adopt­ed Hebrew to serve a vari­ety of goals, ulti­mate­ly draw­ing a par­al­lel to the larg­er impact of Hebrew on iden­ti­ty with­in the Jew­ish Amer­i­can com­mu­ni­ty.

Study by Professor Shirley Leyro Is Basis for Mental Health Partnership Based a literature review by BMCC Criminal Justice Professor Shirley Leyro—The Mental Health Challenges Experienced by Student Parents—two organizations, Ascend at the Aspen Institute and The Jed Foundation (JED) have joined to create a framework to improve mental health supports on campus and raise graduation rates for student parents. Leyro's report explores mental health challenges faced by student parents in intersecting groups based on race, marital status and gender. “From financial hardship to the stressors that come with being both a college student and primary caregiver and household provider, the obstacles experienced by parenting students are significant,” Leyro says.

BMCC Partners with Rutgers-New Brunswick to Receive Grant Bringing Theory to Practice (BT2P) launched “The Way Forward” initiative in fall 2020 as a response to the current intersecting crises facing American society and higher education – systemic racism, the pandemic, and economic inequality. BT2P had a Request for Proposals for the grant initiative, and with support from the Endeavor Foundation and the Luce Foundation, BT2P was able to fund 15 proposals, which included BMCC’s collaboration with Rutgers-New Brunswick. The BMCC/Rutgers team received a $10,000 grant for their collaborative project “From Pandemic to Protest, We Remember,” which involves students from both institutions using augmented reality technology to support the creation and curation of virtual monuments and memorials in an online exhibit commemorating the height of the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter Movement in 2020. BMCC’s Jill Strauss, Associate Professor in the Speech, Communications, and Theater Arts Department is the Principal Investigator for this project.

Faculty Event Focuses on Trauma-Informed and Anti-Racist Pedagogy
BMCC faculty members attended a two-day virtual event, Recharge, Reconnect, Restart on January 26 and 27. Each afternoon was filled with activities, presentations and panel discussions focused on trauma-informed and anti-racist pedagogy in an interactive, positive and affirming way.

Announcements

February 19 Deadline and What Else to Know if Students Ask About NSLS Eligible students have been emailed Spring 2021 invitations to join BMCC's chapter of the National Society of Leadership & Success (NSLS). Students who accept the nomination by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, February 19 — no exceptions — will complete a five-step leadership program to become inducted and enjoy a fully virtual NSLS experience. The one-time registration fee of $95 provides lifetime membership and benefits such as scholarships, professional communication training and more. For more information: NSLS@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Students Can Apply Through March 1, for NSF-REU Paid Research Internships
During Summer 2021, qualified BMCC students can receive a stipend of $4,600 to assist in research on the bioactivity of natural products. This opportunity is funded through the National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program at BMCC. Applications will be accepted through March 1. For more information, visit the NSF-REU website.

CUNY Theatre Festival, March 20, Invites Student Submissions of Original Work
BMCC students are invited to join the sixth annual CUNY Theatre Festival (CTF), live streamed on March 20. Day and evening programs will present workshops, panels and lectures from theatre professionals, as well as original ten-minute plays and monologues written, directed and acted by CUNY students. BMCC student playwrights, directors, design/tech majors and actors are invited to register at the CTF website. BMCC studentscan also submit director applications, original plays and monologues by February 7; student actors and designers are invited to submit applications by February 14. For more information, contact Professor Keith Winsted at  cunytheatrefestival@gmail.com.

Laptop and iPad Distribution Has Resumed Eligible BMCC students can borrow a laptop or iPad on Mondays and Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the BMCC gym, 100 North Moore Street. Students must apply and choose a day to pick up their device. For more information, students can contact studentaffairs@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Quiet Study and Computer Lab Reservations Available
Students can reserve a single-seat study space on the second floor of the Murray Building at 70 Murray Street, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students must bring a photo ID with them and complete the daily health screening each day they visit campus. They can reserve a study time here.

Exhibition, "ID: Formations of the Self" Extended to February 19
The Shirley Fiterman Art Center exhibition, "ID: Formations of the Self," up through February 19, can be viewed through the exterior storefront windows of Fiterman Hall. Shown above: Athena LaTocha, "La Bajada Red" (Installation view), 2016-17, Sumi and walnut ink, La Bajada earth on paper, Image courtesy of artist.

Submit Your Ballot for the 2020-2021 Employee Appreciation Awards  BMCC students, faculty and staff, show your appreciation for staff (non-faculty) members who demonstrate outstanding achievement and creative contributions through their role at BMCC — beyond what is normally expected of employees. Submit one ballot with a detailed nomination in any or all categories: Leadership, Inspiration, Innovation/Technology, Rookie of the Year and Team Achievement. Deadline for nominations is Friday, April 30, 2021.

Compliance and Diversity Policies: Equity Is our Strength  
BMCC policies protect equal educational and employment opportunity, and prohibit unlawful discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment. These policies may also apply to online and off-campus incidents. If you have experienced or witnessed unlawful discrimination and harassment, you can report it to the Office of Compliance and Diversity.

Campus Planning and Facilities

The Reimagining BMCC Website Now Provides a Quick Reference to Student Resources 
Scroll down the Reimagining BMCC website to find Faculty Resources, Staff Resources and Student Resources — the last of which now includes a handy listing of services, offices, their hours of operation and virtual contact information to assist you as your guide students toward resources during the academic year. Other sections continue providing information on campus reopening, procedures, safety measures and more.

Resilience, Health and Wellness: A Comprehensive Website Supports the BMCC Community  
Whether focusing on fitness or finding support in a time of crisis, the Resilience, Health and Wellness website provides resources and news for students, faculty and staff. As BMCC President Anthony Munroe puts it, “As a community, we need to reach out to each other, encourage each other to access the resources available to us. No one has to experience this time alone.”

Daily Everbridge Wellness Screening Mandatory for Faculty, Students, Visitors and Staff 
Anyone who visits the BMCC campus must complete a daily health screening using the Everbridge App or the Everbridge Email Option. Students, faculty and staff can use this Instructional Guide and visitors can use this Visitor's Guide. The CUNY FAQ guide is also helpful. 

Have You Traveled Outside New York Recently? New Everbridge Guidelines Apply.
The Everbridge COVID screening has been modified to meet New York travel guidelines. It will ask the question, "Have you traveled outside of New York State or traveled internationally during the past seven days?"

• If you have traveled to Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania or Vermont during the past seven days, you must answer “No”
• If you have traveled to a state other than Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania or Vermont in the last seven days, or if you have traveled internationally, you must answer “Yes”

Enrollment

Making Headlines

Professor Kate Walter reflects on coming out issues at age 71
January 27, 2021—Next Avenue

Professor Leigh Claire La Berge discusses decommodified labor
January 27, 2021—PlayerFM

BMCC recognized by NASPA with $50K grant and Virtual Innovation Award 
January 26, 2021 — PR Newswire

Human Resources

Are You Eligible for the COVID-19 Vaccine?
Many City employees are now eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine is safe, free, effective and will help end the COVID-19 pandemic. To find out if you are eligible visit nyc.gov. Bookmark the page and check back often. If you're eligible, make an appointment online. 

2020 W-2 Now Available Electronically
2020 W-2s are available electronically on the NYCAPS webpage. Employees who have an existing account can access their W-2 by signing onto NYCAPS.  To create a NYCAPS account, click here. Detailed instructions on how to create your account are available here or on the BMCC Human Resources website under Payroll.

Payroll Distribution: February 4
Employees who do not have direct deposit can pick up their paper payroll check on Thursday, February 4, from 3 to 5 p.m. only, at 199 Chambers Street, Breezeway, 2 South. Please bring your own pen to sign the registry.

Nourishing A Healthy Heart Webinar: February 5
Celebrate Heart Health Month pm February 5 at 12 noon with a live cooking demonstration featuring a healthy takeout meal makeover: pineapple fried rice! Learn what foods are good for your heart and how to prepare delicious, heart-healthy meals for the whole family. This event takes place on Wear Red Day to raise awareness for heart health, so put on your best red outfit and join us! Register online.

A Year of COVID, Working Through Collective Trauma: February 10
A year of pandemic living has affected everyone in some shape or form. Join WWNYC and Thrive NYC on February 10 at 12 noon as we look back on the year and review some lessons learned, strengths we have gained, and strategies for moving forward. Register online.

Move More at Home, With Free Zumba, Yoga and Other Classes 
Now through March, WorkWell Digital offers free online toning and conditioning, yoga, Zumba, meditation courses and more. Register online.

Alumni and Donors

CUNY Features BMCC Nursing Alumna Marleny Hernandez in Video  When this mother of four contracted COVID last March, the staff at BMCC encouraged her to stick it out and graduate. Her story inspires other students to overcome barriers and was also featured in The Hechinger Report.

Take Action Now on Charitable Deductions for Non-Itemizers  Rather than itemize their deductions, the CARES Act allows taxpayers who take the standard deduction to claim a charitable deduction for cash donations made to public charities. For 2021 only, the law doubles to $600 the maximum amount joint filers may deduct. (Single filers or married filers who file separately are limited to $300.) Please donate to the BMCC Foundation at Giving to BMCC Foundation. For more information, please contact Phillip Keefe, Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving at (212) 346-8650 or pkeefe@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from IRAs Are Back in 2021
If you are of RMD age in 2021, you must resume RMDs for 2021 and continue for every year after. There is some good news, and that is that the qualified charitable distribution allowance for donors age 70½ or older is still available, with an annual limit of $100,000, to donors of BMCC Foundation. For more information, please contact Phillip Keefe, Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving at (212) 346-8650 or pkeefe@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Thank you for Giving the Gift of Education
Your generous donations go a long way in funding scholarships, research and programs that allow us to continue delivering quality education to our students. Some of the ways to give include Direct Gifts, Gifts of Securities, Gifts of Real Estate and many more. For more information, please visit the Ways to Give website, call the Office for Institutional Advancement at (212) 220-8020 or email lmalcolm@bmcc.cuny.edu). Your support goes a long way, and is very appreciated.

Calendar

Spring 2021 Pre-Registration Workshop
January 29

Workshop: How to Apply to BMCC
February 2

Affording College During a Pandemic: A Financial Aid Workshop for New Students
February 3

The Life of Mary Rogers: Meet the Cast
February 5

Accounting Cycle Workshop
February 6

Connect with BMCC

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Faculty and staff: Submit items for consideration in an upcoming @BMCC to publicaffairs@bmcc.cuny.edu by 12 noon, Wednesday.